Ogdensburg Salvation Army board needs members

An agency whose mission it is to help those in need finds itself in an unusual predicament where it is in need.

The board of directors of the Ogdensburg chapter of Salvation Army has a roster problem.

A serious one.

We are slated for 28 seats and we have 20 seats open, Capt. Timothy A. Shaffer said Wednesday. We have eight occupied.

Volunteer boards of all stripes are susceptible to commitment and attendance problems, and the Salvation Armys is no exception.

But Mr. Shaffer wants everyone to realize just what that commitment and attendance means.

The board is a conduit between the community and the Army, he said. The community may want to know what is going on in the Army and do not want to ask the officers. They can bring their concerns to the board members, and they can answer them or state they will find out. In turn they will talk it over with the officers and then get back to the person with the information.

Thats not all, Mr. Shaffer said.

Also the board helps with various programs and services, he said. This could mean to start up something that is needed in the community or revamp something that the Army is already doing. There are committees that are established to help the Army be accountable to the donors, and the board is responsible for those. The board advises the officers in things that are brought up, but it is the officers decision to follow the recommendation.

Board terms are year to year from May to April, Mr. Shaffer said.

There is to be a rotation on a three-year basis for those who stay on more than one year, he said.

The board meetings are held monthly on third Thursdays at the headquarters at 401 Franklin St.

Enrollment of new board members will take place at the Armys annual meeting in May.